Researchers at the Institute of Marine Technology Problems of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have created an autonomous underwater vehicle carrying a quadcopter drone.
Russia has developed a self-driving submarine capable of carrying drones.
Russia has developed a drone-powered "submarine" for mine clearance and reconnaissance.
According to the official patent, this innovation aims to create an autonomous submarine carrying a quadcopter drone in a waterproof compartment. The drone can remain submerged for extended periods at depths that do not cause damage to it or its payload, while the submarine controls the external pressure. When the submarine surfaces, the drone can take off and fly with its payload, guided by the submarine's control system.
The submarine's control system includes an inertial navigation system, a speedometer, a central computer, a depth sensor, a satellite navigation system receiver, a radio communication unit, and a forward sonar located at the bow of the submarine. The system analyzes the noise environment in the surface-to-surface zone and, using an integrated algorithm, decides whether to surface immediately or move to an alternative surface-to-surface zone later.
The submarine contains a special cylindrical compartment for the drone, which is waterproof and equipped with a two-door hatch controlled by gear motors and electromagnetic locks. The drone is secured inside the compartment using electromagnetic locks and is also equipped with a detachable buoyancy unit
